Key Insights
Essential data points from our research
The global activewear market size was estimated at USD 303.44 billion in 2021
The activewear market is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.8% from 2022 to 2030
North America dominated the activewear market with a revenue share of over 35% in 2021
85% of consumers bought activewear in 2020 primarily for non-active use (lounging or working from home)
40% of millennials say they are willing to pay up to 20% more for sustainable activewear
9 out of 10 consumers state they wear activewear for occasions other than exercise
Recycled polyester usage in activewear is expected to grow by 7% annually through 2026
The global smart fabrics market for sports is expected to reach $5.55 billion by 2025
"Athleisure" as a category has seen a 42% increase in sales volume over the last seven years
Nike remains the world’s most valuable apparel brand with a brand value of over $30 billion
Adidas reported global net sales of approximately 21.2 billion euros in 2021
Lululemon’s revenue reached $6.25 billion in fiscal year 2021 a 42% increase from the prior year
E-commerce channels accounted for 43% of total global sportswear sales in 2020
Direct-to-consumer (DTC) sales make up over 40% of Nike’s total brand revenue
Mobile commerce sales for activewear are projected to grow by 12% annually
Consumer Behavior & Demographics
- 85% of consumers bought activewear in 2020 primarily for non-active use (lounging or working from home)
- 40% of millennials say they are willing to pay up to 20% more for sustainable activewear
- 9 out of 10 consumers state they wear activewear for occasions other than exercise
- Female consumers aged 16-24 are the most frequent purchasers of leggings and yoga pants
- Over 50% of activewear consumers research fabric technology before purchasing performance gear
- 72% of global consumers prefer to buy activewear from brands that reflect their personal values
- Men are 20% more likely than women to purchase activewear specifically for performance rather than aesthetics
- 60% of Chinese consumers check social media for activewear trends before buying
- The average US consumer spends approximately $120 annually on women’s activewear
- Consumers cite "comfort" as the number one driver for activewear purchases surpassing "price"
- Gen Z consumers account for the highest growth rate in sneaker culture and active footwear purchases
- 35% of activewear returns are due to sizing issues highlighting a key consumer pain point
- 55% of sports apparel consumers believe brands must offer size inclusivity
- 67% of consumers consider durability the most important factor for outdoor activewear
- Nearly 30% of activewear shoppers bought a brand for the first time via a social media ad in 2021
- Active parents are 40% more likely to purchase premium activewear for their children
- 45% of regular gym-goers replace their running shoes every 6 months
- 79% of activewear customers say they are changing their purchase preferences based on social responsibility/environmental impact
- US consumers aged 35-44 spend the most per transaction on performance sportswear
- 25% of consumers have purchased "dupes" (cheaper alternatives) of premium activewear brands found on TikTok
Interpretation
Activewear has quietly morphed into everyone’s everyday uniform, with 85% buying it mainly for lounging in 2020 and 72% choosing brands that mirror their values, while social-media-savvy Gen Z and millennials will pay more for sustainable, well-fitting, durable pieces or snag dupes—so comfort, inclusivity and conscience increasingly trump pure performance.
Key Players & Brand Performance
- Nike remains the world’s most valuable apparel brand with a brand value of over $30 billion
- Adidas reported global net sales of approximately 21.2 billion euros in 2021
- Lululemon’s revenue reached $6.25 billion in fiscal year 2021 a 42% increase from the prior year
- Under Armour’s revenue was approximately $5.7 billion in 2021
- Anta Sports is the third-largest sportswear company in the world by revenue as of 2021
- Gymshark achieved a valuation of over $1.3 billion achieving unicorn status in 2020
- Nike holds approximately 38.23% of the global athletic footwear market share
- Puma reported a sales increase of 32% in 2021 reaching roughly 6.8 billion euros
- Columbia Sportswear generated $3.13 billion in net sales in 2021
- Alo Yoga exceeded $1 billion in sales in 2022
- VF Corporation (owner of The North Face) saw its active segment revenue grow 28% in FY2022
- Li-Ning, a major Chinese brand, saw revenue jump 56% in the first half of 2021
- Gap Inc.’s Athleta brand is on track to reach $2 billion in net sales by 2023
- Fabletics reached over 2 million VIP members in 2020
- ASICS reported net sales of 404 billion yen in 2021
- New Balance reported revenue of $4.4 billion in 2021 representing 30% growth
- Sweaty Betty was acquired by Wolverine Worldwide for $410 million in 2021
- On Running (On Holding AG) saw net sales increase by 70% in 2021
- Reebok was sold to Authentic Brands Group for 2.1 billion euros in 2021
- Skechers achieved new annual sales record of $6.29 billion in 2021
Interpretation
Nike may hold the throne with more than $30 billion in brand value and about 38% of the global athletic footwear market, but the activewear kingdom is crowded and thriving—billion-dollar incumbents, breakneck growers like Lululemon, Li‑Ning and On, unicorns such as Gymshark, niche stars like Alo and Fabletics, and steady performers from Adidas, Puma, Skechers and New Balance together show that scale, speed and specialization can all win.
Market Size & Growth
- The global activewear market size was estimated at USD 303.44 billion in 2021
- The activewear market is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.8% from 2022 to 2030
- North America dominated the activewear market with a revenue share of over 35% in 2021
- The women’s activewear segment accounted for the largest revenue share of over 60% in 2021
- The global sports apparel market is expected to generate revenue of roughly 248 billion U.S. dollars in 2026
- The Asia Pacific region is expected to register the fastest activewear CAGR of 6.5% from 2022 to 2030
- By 2028 the global activewear market is anticipated to reach nearly 451 billion U.S. dollars
- The US activewear market size was valued at $87.05 billion in 2022
- Europe held the second-largest share of the global activewear market in 2020
- The outdoor apparel segment is forecast to reach $19.6 billion by 2026 worldwide
- The yoga clothing market specifically is expected to reach $66.2 billion by 2027
- China’s sportswear market is projected to reach roughly $82.8 billion by 2024
- The global sports bra market size was over $29 billion in 2021
- The children’s activewear segment is anticipated to grow significantly with a CAGR of 6.6% through 2028
- The menswear activewear segment holds roughly 35% of the total global market share
- Footwear accounts for roughly 45% of total activewear industry revenues globally
- The plus-size activewear market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 5.9% between 2021 and 2027
- The luxury activewear market is estimated to reach $83.4 billion by 2029
- The UK sportswear market was valued at approximately £5.8 billion in 2022
- Global licensed sports merchandise market is expected to reach $49 billion by 2030
Interpretation
The global activewear market is already a $300 billion-plus business dominated by North America and women’s apparel and is still sprinting toward nearly $451 billion by 2028, propelled by footwear and booming segments like yoga, sports bras, plus-size, children’s and luxury lines as Asia‑Pacific outpaces others, so brands that combine performance, inclusivity and premium appeal are best placed to win.
Product Trends & Innovation
- Recycled polyester usage in activewear is expected to grow by 7% annually through 2026
- The global smart fabrics market for sports is expected to reach $5.55 billion by 2025
- "Athleisure" as a category has seen a 42% increase in sales volume over the last seven years
- Seamless technology adoption in activewear manufacturing is growing at 8% CAGR
- Searches for "sustainable leggings" increased by 150% in 2021 compared to 2020
- Anti-odor fabric treatments are present in 20% of all new performance apparel launches
- 3D printed footwear components are projected to be a $3.6 billion market by 2029
- The trend of "workleisure" (office-appropriate activewear) grew by 25% following the pandemic
- Bio-based materials (like algae and bamboo) are the fastest-growing material innovation segment in activewear
- Retro and 90s-inspired sportswear styles saw a 55% increase in SKU counts in 2022
- Compression wear market size is valued at USD 3 billion globally
- Moisture-wicking technology accounts for 60% of the functionality claims in sports apparel
- The "skort" (skirt-short hybrid) saw a 30% sales jump in 2021 driven by tennis/golf trends
- Connected footwear (shoes with chips) shipments are expected to reach 20 million units by 2024
- High-waisted leggings account for 65% of all legging sales in North America
- Thermal activewear demand increases by 12% annually in Northern Europe
- The adoption of Merino wool in activewear increased by 10% in 2021 due to its natural properties
- Customizable activewear (colors/logos) is a trend growing at 12% year-over-year
- "Squat-proof" marketing claims on activewear increased by 70% between 2019 and 2022
- Vitamin-infused fabrics are a niche trend expected to be worth $500 million by 2030
Interpretation
Activewear has become the Swiss Army knife of wardrobes, powered by a sustainability surge in recycled and bio-based fibers and rising searches for eco leggings, infused with smart fabrics, connected shoes and 3D printed parts, buoyed by athleisure, workleisure and retro revivals, and defined by performance features from moisture-wicking and anti-odor to compression, while seamless manufacturing, customization and quirky innovations like vitamin-infused textiles and skorts prove that style, tech and conscience now sell in equal measure.
Sales Channels & Digital Commerce
- E-commerce channels accounted for 43% of total global sportswear sales in 2020
- Direct-to-consumer (DTC) sales make up over 40% of Nike’s total brand revenue
- Mobile commerce sales for activewear are projected to grow by 12% annually
- The resale market for activewear is expected to grow 2x faster than the broader retail clothing market
- 80% of activewear brands now use influencer marketing as a primary sales channel driver
- Amazon’s private label activewear brands account for approx 15% of activewear sold on the platform
- Social commerce (sales directly via social apps) in the fitness apparel sector is expected to hit $20 billion by 2025 in the US
- Lululemon’s digital sales represented 44% of total revenue in 2021
- Adidas aims for e-commerce sales to account for 50% of total sales by 2025
- Subscription-based activewear models (like Fabletics) have a 3x higher retention rate than traditional retail
- Physical store footfall for sports retailers is still 10% below pre-pandemic levels as of 2022
- Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL) usage for activewear purchases increased 60% in 2021
- Livestream shopping for sportswear in China accounts for nearly 20% of online sector sales
- 22% of online activewear shoppers abandon their cart due to lack of free shipping
- Metaverse sports apparel sales (NFTs/Skins) are projected to be a $2 billion revenue stream by 2027
- 65% of sports retailers now offer Buy Online Pick Up In Store (BOPIS)
- Instagram generates the highest ROI for activewear brands compared to other social channels
- The average conversion rate for activewear e-commerce sites is 2.1%
- Digital fitness apps have driven a 15% increase in apparel sales for their associated parent brands
- Wholesale revenue now accounts for less than 60% of total industry revenue due to the DTC shift
Interpretation
Activewear has sprinted from wholesale‑dominated racks to a digitally driven market where e-commerce made up 43% of global sales in 2020, DTC now accounts for over 40% of Nike’s revenue as wholesale slips below 60% of industry income, mobile commerce is growing 12% annually, social commerce and Instagram deliver the strongest ROI with US social sales set to hit $20 billion by 2025, influencers power 80% of brands’ customer acquisition, resale growth outpaces broader apparel by two to one while subscription models retain customers three times better, Amazon’s private labels represent about 15% of platform activewear, livestreaming in China is nearly 20% of online sales, 65% of retailers offer BOPIS as stores still trail pre-pandemic footfall by 10%, BNPL usage jumped 60% and 22% of shoppers abandon carts for lack of free shipping, conversion rates linger around 2.1% even as fitness apps lift apparel sales 15%, and new bets like metaverse skins could add a $2 billion revenue stream by 2027.
References
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